Long nap.

June 30, 2019
Day 1,005

Thankful for:

-church with my family.

-for deli meat sandwiches for lunch.

-for a long nap on the couch.

-for a day not to do anything at all.

-to be fully unpacked and all the laundry done.

-for a fun day planned tomorrow with Matt's mom at our home.

Home, at last.

June 29, 2019
Day 1,004

Thankful for:

-a safe drive home from the beach.

-to finally be out of the car.

-to walk on the floors of my home again.

-to sleep in my bedroom.

-to sleep in my bed.

-to sit on my couch.

-home is the best place to be.

Best day at the beach ever!

June 28, 2019
Day 1,003

     Thankful for the most awesome day at the beach! I went into the water, and it was so refreshing and cool and fun! I went in up to my neck and played in the waves. The sand is very soft out in the water, and the waves are super fun to float in when they're not crashing into you. We had delicious pizza for dinner! This was the best day at the beach ever. I'm sad to go home tomorrow, but I will be very happy to be in my own home and sleep in my own bed. It was the best vacation!

Sunset watching.

June 27, 2019
Day 1,002

Thankful for:

-watching the sunset with my sister and my brother's soon to be wife, Cheyenne

-a delicious dinner and dessert made by Shane and Cheyenne

-cuddles with Ryker, my soon to be nephew.

-a grand day at the beach.

The next 1,000 days.

June 26, 2019
Day 1,001

     Today was good. We went to the beach and sat in the sand. We looked for shells. We played in the water. I laid on the beach and talked with my sister. We ate cookies and chips while we watched the waves. We came home and had tacos for dinner. They were delicious. At night, I sat outside and watched the stars with my sister and my husband. This day was good.

Thankful for sun-kissed cheeks.

Thankful for blond hair.

Thankful for blue eyes.

Thankful for green eyes.

Thankful for my husband's hands.

Thankful when Higbee is quiet.

Thankful for my mom. She's a good woman.

Thankful for my grandma.

Thankful for my dad.

Thankful that I get to spend time with my brother's girlfriend and get to know her.

Thankful that I get to spend time with her son, Ryker. I'm getting to know him.

Thankful for this space to write things that make my happy and joyful.

Thankful that I've decided to continue blogging about the good things. I'm excited to see what the next 1,000 days will bring.

1,000 Days.

June 25, 2019
Day 1,000

     I'm sitting here on my bed at our beach house for the week reflecting on the past 1,000 days. They have been good. And full of wonderful gifts from God. Gifts that I have no business deserving. We moved into our dream house in the past 1,000 days. My children grew up several years. So much can happen in 1,000 days. But the thing that I've realized the most is this: I have had worries and anxiety and doubt in the past 1,000 days. But that's all it was. Because the past 1,000 days have been nothing but a beautiful gift. They have been good and lovely and praise worthy.

     Thank you, God, for this beautiful life.

     I am thankful. I am thankful. I am thankful.

     God is good.

     I'm going to continue writing about the good and the lovely. I'm going to continue to write about what is beautiful. It's worth writing about. It's worth thinking about. And it's worth talking about. These are the things that matter.

Stars.

June 24, 2019
Day 999

Thankful for:

-a beautiful day at the sound.

-going on a boat on the sound.

-playing in the water with my family.

-eating cookies and cheese puffs on the beach.

-cuddling with my babies.

-eating delicious food after a day at the beach.

-sitting on the deck at night watching the stars.

The sound of waves.

June 23, 2019
Day 998

Thankful for:

-a day at the beach.

-the sound of waves.

-the feeling of sand beneath my feet.

-catching sand fleas.

-finding seashells.

-eating cookies and chips on the beach.

-a grand first day of vacation.

Being at the beach with my family.

June 22, 2019
Day 997

Thankful for:

-a safe drive to the beach.

-listening to our kids watch movies that Matt and I watched when we were kids.

-being at the beach with my family.

-ice cream

-playing in the waves with my kids and Higbee

-having the whole week ahead of me.

Time spent with my girl.

June 21, 2019
Day 996

Thankful for:

-days spent preparing for vacation.

-time with my girl.

-bathing suit shopping with my girl.

-delivering flowers to a friend's doorstep.

-grocery shopping with my mom, my sister, my nieces, my nephew, and my daughter.

-shopping carts full of treats and goodies for vacation.

-packing clothes and belongings for a trip to the beach.

-a very clean house.

-a beautiful home to come home to.

Days spent in the backyard.

June 20, 2019
Day 995

     Thankful for days spent in our backyard having fun. Thankful for a pool to splash around in. Thankful for our giant trampoline. Thankful for music. Thankful for kids named: Casey, Adelyn, Tobin, Sophia, and Odette. Thankful for Higbee even though he's mad at me right now. I wouldn't let him play outside with us today because it was hot and he was eating grass. Now he won't come near me. Oh, Higbee. Thankful for time with my friend, Lorrie. Thankful for a lovely pedicure. Thankful for soup for dinner. Thankful for my husband. Thankful for another day at home. Thankful for a fun day tomorrow running errands. I love running errands early in the morning with a fresh cup of coffee.

     It was a lovely day. And I'm thankful for it.

Good wine.

June 19, 2019
Day 994

Thankful for:

-cloudy afternoons.

-time to spend at home.

-a good day with my babies.

-time to read and do school work in the morning.

-music.

-good wine.

-kisses from my babies.

AGT

June 18, 2019
Day 993

     Thankful for the woods. Thankful for the giant trampoline in our backyard. Thankful for AGT. And big bowls of popcorn to eat while watching AGT. Thankful for pretend auditions for AGT after the show every week with Adelyn. It's fun to dream about doing something great. Thankful for nights with my husband. Thankful for the sweet, sweet summertime. Thankful for time at home with my family. With no set schedule. It's a lovely treat.

Hot rolls with butter.

June 17, 2019
Day 992

     Thankful for:

-breakfast foods just waiting to be made in the fridge to celebrate Father's Day for Matt.

-cards and presents for my love.

-lunch out with Matt, the kids, and Matt's mom.

-hot rolls with butter.

-presents from Matt's mom.

-a fresh new week.

Rest.

June 16, 2019
Day 991


     Thankful for my dad. He's my hero. He always has been and always will be. Thankful for amazing dinners. Fresh salads, corn, steaks on the grill, and twice baked potatoes. Thankful for hot fudge sundaes. Thankful for my family. Thankful for my husband; the father of my little loves. Thankful for his love for me and for us. Thankful that he's given me the life of my dreams. It's wonderful and I don't deserve it.

     Thankful for the word: dad.

     Thankful for this word: rest. I'm dwelling on that word today. Rest.

Happy days are the best.

June 15, 2019
Day 990

     Thankful for mornings spent in bed with my husband. Our kids were fed and happy and downstairs watching a movie. So we stayed upstairs in bed together. Thankful that my husband, my partner of over 19 years wants to spend mornings in bed with me. Thankful for happy children. Thankful for warm trays of cookie bars and freshly made salad to take to a dinner party. Thankful for the sweetest friends. Thankful for happy days. Happy days are the best.

Just...thankful.

Cool and constant.

June 14, 2019
Day 989

     Thankful for days spent entirely outside. We got a giant trampoline, and Matt and I spent the day outside putting it together. It was a grand day. The sun was warm. The breeze was cool and constant. The sky was blue. My sister and her kids came over, and our kids played together all day. Feet were bare and dirty. Foreheads were sweaty and sun-kissed. It was a glorious day. We grilled out. We had smores around the fire pit.

      I'm in awe of this lovely life of mine. It's completely undeserved. But I'm blessed with it anyways.

     I'm thankful.

Little list.

June 13, 2019
Day 988

     Thankful for:

-days at home with my babies.

-mornings spent learning and growing together.

-the forest in the morning.

-time spent with my sister.

-books from the library.

-kisses from my babies.

-texts from my husband.

Front Royal Parks.

June 12, 2019
Day 987

     Today, we went on another adventure. We drove to a big playground in Front Royal. The drive was beautiful. We played on a fun playground. There was even a musical section of the playground where you could create music. It was pretty cool. We took a hike through the woods. On our way out of town, Tobin spotted another cool playground. We stopped and played. And we took a stroll near the creek. We went out for dinner at Rappahannock Pizza Kitchen. Wasn't our favorite pizza, but it was good after a long day outside. Thankful for time with my littles while they are still little. Thankful for my amazing husband who loves our family more than he loves himself. I am blessed beyond words. Thankful for our beautiful home. I love to just stay home because our home is wonderful. Thankful for this life of mine.

Rappahannock State Park

June 11, 2019
Day 986

     Today was lovely. Matt, the kids, and I went to a new park; Rappahannock State Park. It was amazing. We played at the playground. We went hiking. We played by the creek. We met some new friends. It was a super fun day together.

     We took a long walk in the woods. 

     It was a day to be thankful for. And I am. 

It's truly glorious.

June 10, 2019
Day 985

Thankful for:

-the first full Monday home.

-the ability to buy groceries for my family.

-new beach towels.

-nice sunscreen.

-the time to completely clean my house from top to bottom.

-time to relax in our clean home.

-rainy days.

-easy dinners.

-rainy walks with Higbee.

-time to watch TV shows.

-no schedule.

-no alarms set.

-just us doing what we want all day long. It's truly glorious.

Rainy days.

June 9, 2019
Day 984

Thankful for:

-Sundays.

-church.

-a quick visit to Matt's mom.

-gifts from Matt's mom. She's so loving and giving.

-an afternoon to lay on the couch and be quiet.

-rainy days.

-dinners at my sister's house.

-time with family.

-early to bed nights.

-movies in bed.

-the knowledge that I don't have to set my alarm for tomorrow morning.

Naps in the afternoon.

June 8, 2019
Day 983

Thankful for:

-Saturday mornings.

-days to sleep in.

-naps in the afternoon.

-the laziest Saturday ever.

-a messy house; it means our home is lived in.

-big windows.

-the forest in summer; it's so full.

-freshly cut grass.

-bunnies in our backyard.

The first Friday of summer vacation.

June 7, 2019
Day 982

Thankful for:

-the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Thank God in heaven!

-a half day with students.

-time to clean up my classroom.

-Patty. She picked up my kids and fed them dinner.

-My kids didn't eat the dinner she provided, so we went to Foster's. It was delicious.

-the first Friday night of summer vacation

-time with my babies.

-the ability to stay up late, not make lunches for the next day, and not set my alarm.

The end of a long, hard year coming soon.

June 6, 2019
Day 981

Thankful for:

-5th grade graduations.

-pictures with former students.

-sweet students.

-sweet parents.

-good food.

-one more half day of school left.

-a few more hours with my class.

-the end of a long, hard year coming to a close.

-time to rest and sleep coming soon.

Cookie bars cooling.

June 5, 2019
Day 980

Thankful for:

-many trays of cookie bars cooling for tomorrow's 5th grade graduation.

-graduation practice.

-speeches.

-only one more full day of school left.

-the promise of summer coming very soon.

-a weekend to rest and relax.

-a beautiful home to summer in.

The end of a very long year.

June 4, 2019
Day 979

     Thankful for my children. They are everything good. And I don't deserve them. I yelled this morning. I made them rush. I made my mistakes their mistakes. I don't deserve them. They are everything good and lovely and admirable.

     Thankful for cool air. I love the feeling of cool air on my skin. Especially at recess time. Thankful for the feeling of wind blowing on me.

     Thankful for microwaved popcorn.

     Thankful for time to sleep.

     Thankful that this Friday is the end of a very long year.

Tobin's graduation. Girl talk with Addy.

June 3, 2019
Day 978

     Tobin graduated from Kindergarten today. My baby is a first grader. It makes me happy. It makes me sad. It makes me feel like time is slipping even more quickly than I thought it was. I loved watching him smile. I loved watching him walk down the aisle in his little cap and gown. I loved kissing him after a job well done. I have loved every single second of Tobin's life. Thankful for Tobin.
   
      I laid in bed with Addy at bedtime and we chatted for a bit. It's always good to chat and have fun with my girl. I can tell we're going to be BFF's. Thankful for girl talk with my girl.

They make the days count.

June 2, 2019
Day 977

     Writing for me sometimes is like exercising. There are times I don't want to do it, but after I do, I always feel better. More clear headed. Like a fog has been lifted. For more days than I can count on this 1,000 journey of thankfulness, I have made thankful lists. There's nothing wrong with a thankful list...don't get me wrong.

     It's just that...I know I have more to offer. So, tonight, I'm going to offer up what I'm thinking about most these days.

     Here is the thing that I am thankful for right now this moment: I opened up the closet doors in the playroom to hang some of my work dresses.

     Here's what I saw:
1. a mess
2. board games
3. dress up clothes
4. princess dresses
5. superhero costumes
6. toys
7. little bits of paper
8. paper airplanes
9. more toys
10. more mess

     Here is why seeing all that made me thankful: I have two children. And they are the most beautiful beings. I did nothing great to deserve such love and beauty and fun. They are everything right in the world. And their mess means I have them. Right now. I have them to love and hug and hold and cherish and stare at and care for and cook for and clean for and work for and live for. This will not always be. They will not always live at home with me. They will not always just be in the next room playing.

     Dear Adelyn and Tobin,
     You are fast asleep in your beds right now as I write this. Adelyn, I can hear your sound machine going. The sounds of birds chirping and a babbling brook now remind me of you. My angels, thank you for being mine. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for making my life full and lovely and complete. Without you, the sky wouldn't be so blue. The air wouldn't smell so sweet.
     I've been busy this past year. Please forgive me. It was with good intentions that I was busy. I want to be the best I can be at my job so I can give you the best life possible. Forgive me for missing bath times and goodnight prayers. Forgive me for not reading to you every night. Forgive me for making quick meals and instead of talking with you, staring at my phone.
     Summer is just around the corner. And I am going to make it the best summer ever. We're going to relax together. We're going to play. We're going to swim. And bake. And cook. And watch movies, and eat ice cream, and I will be there for every bath time. And every good night prayer. And every meal will be made with love. I will not stare at my phone. I will not waste my time with you. I will make every second count.
     I love you so. You make my days matter. I want to make sure I make your days matter. Thank you for loving me even though I'm far from perfect. Love, Mama

     Thankful for two babies named Adelyn and Tobin. They make the days count.

A fox in our yard.

June 1, 2019
Day 976

Thankful for:

-praying mantis babies.

-a fox in our yard.

-time to grade papers and work on school stuff.

-a day inside watching The Office while I work.

-my husband.

-my babies.

-Higbee.

-time to be at home.

-the windows in our home.

-tomorrow is Sunday.

-next week is the last week of school before summer vacation.

-roast venison for dinner.